New Virginia Hurricane Evacuation Guide now available

New Virginia Hurricane Evacuation Guide now available

RICHMOND, Va. – The 2012 edition of the Virginia Hurricane Evacuation Guide is now available to the public through multiple agencies and organizations throughout Hampton Roads and central Virginia.

The guide contains essential hurricane season information, including evacuation routes, traffic reversal plans along Interstate 64 and family preparedness. Produced by the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, the guide is part of the Ready Virginia and Ready Hampton Roads public information campaigns.

Sections of the guide explain storm surge maps and how to use them and preparedness information for those with special needs. A federal grant that helps the HRPDC conduct special needs outreach paid for the guide.

“All Virginians need to know their risk for storm surge and should plan ahead for what they will do in an emergency,” said Michael Cline, state coordinator for VDEM. “This is an important resource especially for those who live in coastal and low-lying areas.”

For the 2012 hurricane season, 175,000 copies of the guide were printed. Most will be distributed by state and local agencies, private businesses and nonprofit organizations. Any individual or organization interested in receiving guides should contact the VDEM Public Affairs Office at (866) 782-3470 or pio@vdem.virginia.gov . The guide is posted online at www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/additional-resources.